The Coast Guard helicopter hovered over Hallstrom Lake at Hunter Army Airfield on the morning of May 24 to simulate the rescue of a drowning swimmer during National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27. From the shore, employees and Soldiers watched as Air Station Savannah’s rescue swimmer marked the manikin’s location with a red smoke flair, followed by the descent of a
large metal basket from the aircraft into the cool glistening water for pickup.
“I was told that this rescue is a little difficult with all the trees around,” said Kim Hill, a safety specialist at Hunter, who helped set up the Coast Guard demonstration and other water related events and static displays of the day to teach water safety.
“You can’t assume anyone knows the dangers of boating or of wading too far out in the riptide currents at Tybee,” she continued. “Both can be fatal. The purpose of this event is to explain how to be safe while operating a boat or jet ski and how to stay safe during a day at the beach.”
Other groups were also on site with information on water safety, including Don Ambuhl, the lead lifeguard at Tominac Fitness Center. He brought life jackets in various styles, colors, and functionality but all with a Coast Guard stamp of approval, an important factor when investing money in the water safety gear. He urged everyone to wear the correct size and the jacket that
is relevant for the water event.
Lance Larson, a vendor from Action Power Sports, brought a jet ski from his shop to demonstrate how to operate it safely. “They’ve come a long way with safety features on jet skies the last few years,” he said. “They‘re a lot of fun, but if you don’t take precautions, they’re dangerous.”
Representatives from the Coast Guard Auxiliary set up a booth to disperse boating safety information and to perform boat inspections. When Tommy Sidner heard about the free boat inspections, he brought his family boat to Holbrook to get checked
out.
“I’m in the Coast Guard Reserves so I know something about water and water safety,” he said. “The free inspection is good for anyone who owns a boat. If you have a light out or something wrong on your boat, it’s better to find out before you put it in the water and get a ticket from law enforcement officers. I never want to endanger my family. The inspection raises my comfort level.”
An Army Substance Abuse program representative was also on site with literature that warns potential boaters about the risksof drinking alcohol while operating a boat or swimming. He said that water activities and drinking are as lethal a mix as drinking and driving. Alcohol affects your central nervous system, impairs your coordination, judgment and ability to make decisions. Just like the decisions you make behind the wheel of a car, the decisions you make on the water affect your own, as well as other people's lives.
Alcohol makes it easier to become disorientated and fatally confused. It suppresses inhibitions, causes dizziness and tunnel vision. Impaired swimmers and boaters often make wrong decisions,
attempt tasks beyond their abilities and when things go wrong, make decisions that do not contribute to their or anybody else’s survival.
Hill gave other tips about swimming safety:
• Always swim with a partner " whether you're swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake. Even experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps, which might make it difficult to get out of the water. When people swim together, they can help each other or go for help in case of an emergency.
• Get prepared for emergencies. Learn life-saving skills, such as CPR and rescue techniques.
• Know your limits. If you're not a good swimmer or you're just learning to swim, don't go in water that's so deep you can't touch the bottom and don't try to keep up with skilled swimmers.
• If you are a good swimmer and have had lessons, keep an eye on friends who aren't as skilled.
• Swim in safe areas only. It's a good idea to swim only in places that are supervised by a lifeguard. No
one can anticipate changing ocean currents, riptides, sudden storms, or other hidden dangers.
• If you do find yourself caught in a current, don't panic and don't fight the current. Swim with the current, gradually trying to make your way back to shore as you do so. Even a very good swimmer who tries to swim against a strong current will get worn out.
• Some areas with extremely strong currents are off limits when it comes to swimming. Do your research so you know where not to swim.
For additional information about boat safety and free vessel exams, go to www.safetyseal.net or call Kent Shockey at 912-897-7656.
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